There are indeed many famous historical men who were of less than average height. The most famous is Napolean Bonaparte (1769-1821). Another is John Adams (1735-1826).

Yet it is an overstatement to say that “all the greatest men in history had been of less than middle height.” Many great men were famously tall, including George Washington (1732-1799), Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), and Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865).